Considering Grad School for Engineering, HELP!

College Majors Engineering Majors
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<p>I am currently a junior Electrical Engineering major at Penn State. I am starting to think about grad school.</p>

<p>I was wondering if anyone has applied for a Masters Of Engineering Degree, as opposed to a Masters of Science in Engineering.</p>

<p>What are the advantages of one over the other. Is it easier to get into a Masters of Engineering program, as opposed to a Masters of Science in Engineering?</p>

<p>Also what percentage of grad school applicants get either a fellowship, teaching assistant, or research assistant position?</p>

<p>If i decide to go to grad school i would go for electrical engineering. I still dont know what specific area of this field i would like to go into, is that a problem ( i realize i still have a semester before i need to apply.)</p>

<p>Also what kind of schools can i look to get into with a 3.5 - 3.6 gpa. I dont have research experience, just several internships. A few extracurriculars, and i have not taken GRE's yet, i think i know one professor who could give me a decent recommendation.</p>

<p>Based on these stats, what kind of schools could i potentially get aid from?</p>

<p>Also if anyone is going to grad school, for electrical engineering, id appreciate learning about your stats, and or what field you decided to go into and why?</p>

<p>Thanks</p>

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<p>Your gpa/school are both pretty good. Assuming you get a solid gre score, you should at least aim for top10. Aid will be more likely in top15-20ish schools. It's hard to say, as there're other things that can sway your app. For example, if you get a solid reccomendation from a distinguished Prof at your school (who is known in your area of specialization), that certainly helps. Is there no time left for you to do a research project on the side??</p>

<p>Usually an M.S. in Eng'g denotes a thesis, although not necessarily. A Masters in Eng'g means you only have classwork, or at most a final, extended project. From what I've seen, a Masters in Eng'g usually means no aid, so I would think it'd be easier to get an admit. To be honest, it doesn't matter too much to companies, as long as you have several solid projects in your classes all relating to your area of specialization. (and you will, regardless of where you go) However, if you'd like to get research experience, certainly the thesis is the way to go... It can also help if your school's course offerings are weak compared to its research.</p>

<p>My question to you though is, why do you want to go to grad school if you're not sure of what specialization interests you? That's pretty much the entire point of getting a masters in EE; specialize, then get a job in that area right out of grad school.</p>

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<p>Master of Science is the general master degree that people refer to in engineering. You can complete it in, generally, 2 years. It has course work + research + teaching. It is prepared for those who want to continue doing PhD. </p>

<p>Master of Engineering, on the other hand, is for working individuals, or people who already had work experience and coming back to school to study. It is less theory based, and more practical. You usually take night class (after business hours). The program consists of mostly coursework and maybe a scholar paper or couples of seminars. No teaching / thesis requirements. There are very few people with ME going into PhD. It's usually an 'end degree'.</p>

<p>However, depending on the school you're in to, these can change.</p>

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<p>To answer your questions:</p>

<p>I could potentially do some type of research during my senior year, but so far i have not had any research experience. By senior year i will have had 3 distinct internships. </p>

<p>It is interesting that you brought up the point that Masters of Engineering is unlikely to give aid, but i also heard from my friend that a lot of people like masters of engineering, because it is only one year, and more practical for the industry. This particular friend goes to Cornell and says a lot of his buddies are planning on applying to the Masters of Engineering program. So seems like it will still be pretty competitive.</p>

<p>The reason i want to go to grad school, is because in part i think i have the potential to get into a good school, and that should be taken advantage of. I like learning, and so if i can get some aid to learn more, then why not.</p>

<p>I have yet to take intro to communications, intro to digital signal processing, and intro to control systems. I will be taking these 3 classes senior year in the fall. I am hoping that one of these classes may steer me in the right direction of what i like. So far i dont like analog too much, nor electromagnetism, or device physics.</p>

<p>From my point of view it seems like Masters of Engineering is more practical, and better for the industry. But aid is really important too. So that is why i am also considering a Masters in Science. I dont know whether i would like research or not. </p>

<p>So in essence im just looking to make a good decision, and going to grad school, if provided aid, seems like a rational one. </p>

<p>I am open to any suggestions, and comments, so thanks in advance.</p>

<p>And by Aid i mean, any type, including Research assistant, or Teaching Assistant, ( as well as just flat out money )</p>

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<p>anyone else... got any ideas...on this subject</p>

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<p>In UW-Madison (I think the same in Penn State), many MS students are invited to TA so the cost of attendance is very minimal. </p>

<p>
[quote]
But aid is really important too.

[/quote]

While any aid is helpful, don't let that factor deter you from pursuing a particular program. The ROI case for MS and ME is pretty well documented - go for it unless you absolutely cannot afford to lose a year of income right after college. </p>

<p>Another clever use of MS is to position one geographically. Suppose you are from a east coast regional school wanting to have a career in CA, a MS from Stanford and/or UC will help tremendously. The reverse is also true.</p>

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<p>Cont: you could also pursue MS/ME part time, potentially with your employer underwrites part/all of the cost. The downside is limited social life for a couple of years, and limited choice of grad schools (depending where you work).</p>